Ruqayyah Snyder
Native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea, White's tree frogs, also known as dumpy tree frogs, are a popular choice for beginners looking for their first amphibian pet. They are friendly, docile, and can tolerate handling, but their sensitive skin can be damaged by the oils and salts on human skin, so it's important to wash your hands thoroughly before handling them. These frogs are nocturnal and quite sedentary, spending most of their time in trees in the wild, so their enclosure should have lots of climbing opportunities and a basking light or heat pad to maintain a daytime temperature of 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | 3-5" long |
| Weight | N/A |
| Lifespan | 6-15+ years |
| Habitat | Terrarium/aquarium |
| Habitat size | Minimum 10-gallon, 18"x18"x24" recommended for 1-2 frogs |
| Habitat humidity | 50-60% |
| Habitat temperature | 75oF |
| Lighting | Subdued, no UV necessary |
| Habitat décor | Branches, vines, plants, cork bark, hiding spots |
| Food | Insects, e.g. crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms |
| Handling | Sensitive skin, wash hands before handling |
| Behaviour | Nocturnal, docile, tolerant of handling |
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What You'll Learn
- Housing: Use a 10-20 gallon terrarium with a tight-fitting lid, climbing opportunities, and dense plant cover
- Temperature: Maintain a daytime temperature of 80-84°F and a nighttime temperature of 72-76°F
- Humidity: Aim for 50-60% humidity, misting the terrarium daily or as needed with bottled or dechlorinated water
- Diet: Feed a variety of insects, including crickets, waxworms, mealworms, and roaches
- Handling: Wash hands before handling and keep interaction brief, as handling can be stressful for the frog
Housing: Use a 10-20 gallon terrarium with a tight-fitting lid, climbing opportunities, and dense plant cover
Australian white's tree frogs, also known as dumpy tree frogs, are native to Australia and New Guinea. They are a popular choice for beginners due to their docile nature and small size. These frogs are nocturnal, with distinct sleepy-looking eyes and a smiling mouth. They are also quite sedentary, sleeping a lot during the day and becoming active and vocal at dusk.
To care for your Australian white's tree frog, you will need to set up a suitable housing environment. A 10-20 gallon terrarium is recommended for one adult frog, with a taller tank being preferable as these frogs enjoy climbing. The terrarium should have a tight-fitting lid to prevent escape, as these frogs can use their suctioning footpads to scale the glass walls. The lid should also be ventilated to maintain adequate airflow and prevent respiratory problems.
Inside the terrarium, provide various climbing opportunities such as cork bark, branches, vines, and plants (live or plastic). Ensure that all climbing structures are sturdy and secure enough to support the frog's weight. Dense plant cover will help provide hiding spots, so choose plants with leaves slightly larger than the frog's body. You can also use a large piece of cork bark vertically against the back of the cage, leaving a gap of 2-3 inches for the frog to hide in.
Maintain a humidity level of about 50-60% by misting the terrarium daily or as needed with bottled drinking water or dechlorinated tap water. Avoid using distilled water or untreated tap water. To increase humidity further, you can use substrates that retain moisture, such as coconut husk brick or sphagnum moss.
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Temperature: Maintain a daytime temperature of 80-84°F and a nighttime temperature of 72-76°F
White's tree frogs are native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. They are a popular choice for beginner frog owners due to their docile nature, small size, and tolerance for handling. They are also known as dumpy tree frogs, Australian green tree frogs, and Litoria caerulea.
To successfully care for an Australian white's tree frog, maintaining the correct temperature is essential. These frogs require a daytime temperature of 80-84°F and a nighttime temperature of 72-76°F. This temperature range can be achieved through a combination of heating methods, such as a basking light, heat pad, or heat mat attached to the side of the terrarium. It is important to use a thermostat to regulate and confirm the temperature, as incandescent light bulbs can overheat the environment and burn the frog's delicate skin.
A digital thermostat can help automate temperature changes between day and night, preventing burns on the frog's belly and feet. It is also crucial to start with a lower wattage bulb and gradually increase it until the desired temperature is reached. White's tree frogs are ectotherms, meaning they rely on their environment's temperature to regulate their metabolism and stay healthy. Therefore, maintaining the recommended temperature range is vital for their health and well-being.
In addition to temperature control, providing a suitable enclosure with climbing opportunities and maintaining proper humidity levels are also important aspects of caring for Australian white's tree frogs. These frogs enjoy climbing and require a tall terrarium with cork bark, branches, vines, and plants to support their natural behavior. A tight-fitting, ventilated lid is essential to prevent escape and ensure adequate airflow.
The humidity level inside the enclosure should be maintained between 50% and 60%. Misting the terrarium daily or as needed with bottled drinking water or dechlorinated tap water is recommended. Maintaining the correct temperature, providing a suitable environment, and ensuring proper humidity are crucial aspects of caring for Australian white's tree frogs.
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Humidity: Aim for 50-60% humidity, misting the terrarium daily or as needed with bottled or dechlorinated water
Australian white's tree frogs are native to tropical climates in Australia and New Guinea, where they enjoy warm and humid environments. In captivity, it is important to replicate these conditions as closely as possible to ensure the health and happiness of your pet frog.
To achieve this, a terrarium should be used to house your frog, with a minimum size of 10 gallons, although 20 gallons or larger is preferable. The terrarium should be tall to allow for climbing opportunities, as these frogs enjoy clambering up trees in the wild. A tight-fitting, ventilated lid is essential to prevent escape and to maintain adequate airflow, as a lack of ventilation can cause respiratory problems.
To maintain the recommended humidity level of 50-60%, mist the terrarium daily or as needed with bottled drinking water or dechlorinated tap water. Avoid using distilled water or untreated tap water, as these can be harmful. In addition to misting, you can also use substrates that retain moisture, such as sphagnum moss, to help increase the humidity within the enclosure.
Maintaining the correct humidity is crucial for the health of your frog, as they are susceptible to bacterial and fungal skin infections. Their skin is very absorbent and sensitive, so it is important to avoid any chemicals or soaps when cleaning their enclosure or handling them, as even natural oils and salts found on human skin can be damaging.
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Diet: Feed a variety of insects, including crickets, waxworms, mealworms, and roaches
Australian white's tree frogs are insectivores, so their diet should consist primarily of insects. Crickets are the main staple, but you can also feed your frog waxworms, mealworms, dubia roaches, hornworms, phoenix worms, and earthworms or nightcrawlers. Crickets can be placed directly into the cage, but other insects should be placed in a shallow ceramic dish or offered by hand using tweezers, tongs, forceps, or chopsticks. Make sure that any hand-feeding tools have a plastic-coated or blunted tip to prevent cuts or damage to the frog's mouth. Feed your frog as many crickets as it can eat in about 5 to 10 minutes; this should be between two and six crickets.
In addition to the insects mentioned above, adult Australian white's tree frogs may occasionally eat pink mice, but this is not a necessary addition to their diet. You can also feed your frog gut-loaded insects (insects that have been recently fed).
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Handling: Wash hands before handling and keep interaction brief, as handling can be stressful for the frog
Australian white's tree frogs are quite docile and will tolerate handling. However, handling can still be stressful for them, so it's best to keep interactions brief and to a minimum. Before handling your frog, be sure to wash and rinse your hands thoroughly to avoid damaging its sensitive skin. Even the natural oils and salts found on human skin can be damaging to the frog, so it is recommended to wear disposable gloves when handling.
To pick up your frog, scoop it up from below or let it hop onto your hand. Grasp it firmly but gently. If you would like to interact with your pet, a better alternative to handling is to offer food via soft-tipped feeding tongs.
In general, terrestrial invertebrates do not enjoy handling and can become stressed by it, so they should be handled as little as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
A tall, sealed, escape-proof terrarium with a secured top or aquarium hood. The terrarium should be filled with lots of climbing opportunities, such as cork bark, branches, vines, and plants. The temperature should be maintained at around 75oF, with a daytime range of 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and a nighttime range of 72 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
Insects are the primary source of food for these frogs. Crickets are the main staple, and other options include waxworms, mealworms, roaches, hornworms, and earthworms.
Adult males are typically 3-3.5" long, while adult females are larger, reaching up to 4-4.5" long.
Although White's Tree Frogs tolerate handling better than most amphibians, handling can still be stressful for them. It is recommended to keep handling to a minimum and always wash your hands thoroughly with non-chlorinated water before handling your frog, as natural oils and salts on human skin can be damaging.
